Deadline Hollywood broke the exciting news yesterday that the number one new show on cable television has been renewed for a second season.

Not the least of the breakthrough performances from the stars of the show, is New Mexico’s lead role standing-in for Wyoming, and this NM bloggette can confirm exclusively that Longmire WILL return to its New Mexico roots to shoot its sophomore season in the Spring of 2013.

I can also report that the series is set to wrap first full season production in Santa Fe this weekend.

About — In a time when technology and man have integrated themselves into the only device that will save the planet from impending doom, Ademus, our hero, finds himself in a world of obscurity and confusion as his journey unfolds.

Ademus 20-30 — A young man born into a long line of famous scientists completes a legacy of science to save the planet from its fate. Committed as the lead pod operator buried deep below the planet’s surface and plugged into the mainframe computer, he experiences questionable realities as he operates the super-accelerator laser shield.

Mira 20-30 — Wife and fellow pod operator to Ademus, his only link to truth and humanity gives him one last chance to see through his driven destiny before they are separated for the four-year term operating their pods.

New pics from the set of The Lone Ranger as recently tweeted by Mr. Jerry Bruckheimer:

On another side of the coin I do have in my hot little hand, a picture of The Lone Ranger Star, none other than Johnny Depp himself, on the New Mexico studio set for the film.

HOWEVER, I am not at liberty to publish said pic at this time.

Schooled though as I am in the masscommunication and proliferation of gibberish, I can ever so eloquently offer this poetic description of the very, very, exciting, sought after imagery:

Johnny Depp, as you’ve seen him before…

Somehow expressing quirkiness, eccentricity and a subdued humility all in one ever so slight curl of the lip, blankness of eye, and brow almost undetectably half cocked. All this range of emotion and subtle intrigue displayed as only a thespian of his stature could produce.

on a studio lot at either dawn or dusk in Albuquerque New Mexico, having just walked between some StarWaggons® on the asphalt all around him (basically he’s walking around wearing these glasses with this hat).

I have other pics at the ready as well. Those too are Johnny Depp, looking like Johnny Depp, on a starry night after a long days work in the Q. COMING SOON!

P.S. Why isn’t New Mexico manufacturing their own version of StarWaggons® already?!?

More Depp (AKA Mah Woo May) in NM here and Depp in costume here and here.

UPDATE 6/27/12 THAT’S A WRAP: The first half, of the two part production of fifth and final season of Breaking Bad has wrapped in Albuquerque tonight. The stage goes dim until this fall when cast & crew head back in for the grande finale.

The first half of the Fifth&Final season premieres July 15, and the last eight episodes will air in the summer of 2013.

While burgeoning NM hit series, Longmire aired tonight on A&E, AMC global phenom, Breaking Bad held its Season Five premiere event in Albuquerque.

Renowned for their epic wrap parties, the Breaking Bad cast turned out in force for this premiere, while Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul showed in costume, this year as cucarachas?

The Cowgirls is a western about a group of school girls forced to take on the roles traditionally left for men, when their ranch is threatened with financial ruin after the tragic death of the rancher. Seizing on the tragedy a local banker and the old ranch hands join forces to force the property into foreclosure thinking that if they refuse to drive the cattle to the annual auction that the wife of the deceased rancher would be forced to default on the loan. They never counted on this cowgirls tenacity and the support of the dozen teenage pupils she has been caring for since they were left on her doorstep during the civil war.

Using the sets, crew, and locations that have made New Mexico one of the leading film states in the country we plan to make a western that would make John Wayne proud. Because New Mexico is such a forward thinking state as far as film production there is a billion dollars in film infrastructure ready to take our modest budget and shoot a film that experts would place valued at millions of dollars. We have great talent attached and the support of a great directing team. Cast attached: Claudia Christian (Babylon 5), Kelly Lintz, (Hunger Games, Army Wives), Mackenzie Lintz (Hunger Games), Madison Lintz (Sofia from Walking Dead), Bokeem Woodbine (Total Recall, The Rock), Franco Vega (Social Network), Noel G (Dark Knight Returns), and many others.

Sarris was primarily responsible for the auteur theory of film criticism, which in a nutshell said great directors and their visions make for great movies. I think that’s especially applicable to NM. If we are to develop a long term, sustainable business model it needs to be not only below the line (BTL) crew (I will modestly say we have the best BTL crews of any state between the coasts) but it also must be above the line (ATL). Great producers, writers, actors, and directors attract projects. Where would New Zealand be without Peter Jackson? Australia without Peter Weir or Baz Luhrmann? New York without Scorsese? Closer to home, Austin would be a minor threat without Rodriquez or Linklater. We’ve really started to move in that direction. If you watch our continuing TV series you will see many more NM actors, though I think we can do a much better job of advancing their cause. We have gone from one or maybe two front line producers to a competitive field of highly qualified producers and production managers, even Oscar winning executive producers such as Tony Mark and Robert Redford. In writers we have our “deans” such as Kirk Ellis and Mark Medoff along with a strong up and coming band nipping at their heels including Carl Lucas in Roswell.

It’s the directors who will bring their vision and eventually the work here. We are truly fortunate to have a national icon right here at Santa Fe University of Art & Design in Chris Eyre. If you think that is too much hyperbole go back and watch the body of his work including “Smoke Signals.” Chris will be creating noise about NM filmmakers, hopefully for years to come. I would be remiss if I didn’t give a heartfelt and sincere thank you to Alicia Keys and Peter Touche for their faith in NM and NM ATL crew in particular. Their work with Mateo Pumphrey & Diego Joaquin Lopez on “Blaze You Out” and Rajeev Nirmalakhandan on “The Odd Way Home” takes courage, especially when it’s your own money involved. When we look back on the history of the NM film business the two of them will hold a prominent place. Mark my words: we will find and promote great directors together. And to Larry, before you even go there – they shoot union when they can.

[Latitude Media] is working on Australian writer/director Husein Alicajic’s Divine Shadows. The drama/thriller is set in the US Bible Belt where dark secrets are revealed. WME is packaging the project – with Alfred Molina attached — and SC Films International is handling sales. The film will shoot in New Mexico later this year.

“This is one of the most thought provoking and intriguing projects I have read in a long time, and I am looking forward to the prospect of working with such an exciting new talent” said Simon Crowe of SC Films. “Having Alfred Molina already attached speaks volumes for the quality of the script.”

“Despite this being Alicajic’s first feature, he has an incredibly strong filmmaking pedigree” added Jovicic. “His inimitable talent has only been enhanced by directing award winning international shorts and commercials, as well as working with such diverse filmmakers as Alex Proyas and Steven Soderberg along the way.”

Jovicic’s Latitude is also working on The Lost Honor of Katherina Bloom and Place, both to be shot in New York.

Having just returned from the LA Locations Expo, I have a few observations on where I believe we are going with our business here in NM. In LA, I also had the chance to talk to various people from around the country to confirm what I believe is happening nationally.

First, congratulations to everyone who attended the show and participated in the many events. Our Shoot Santa Fe partners reached into their own pockets to finance a booth, two parties, and several in-person meetings with possible clients, and they did an excellent job. Nick and Tobi from the NM Film Office along with Ann from ABQ, Jan from Otero County, and Lisa from Santa Fe did a great job at the NMFO booth which as usual looked spectacular. I can’t help but believe we had a large positive impact in allaying the many rumors I heard about NM’s demise. It’s just unfortunate that we only got to talk to the people who attended the show. Thanks to Santa Fe Studios and Santa Fe County for the full page ad in Variety which allowed us to reach a larger audience.

I had a frank discussion with a senior representative for a major studio and a production entity as well as a representative from one of our facilities about their belief that we need to rebate out-of-state crew members (particularly above the line) in order to remain competitive. It may surprise some to know that we have already done this on a couple of occasions for a limited amount of crew on major motion pictures. There is a provision whereby this can occur, but of course the taxes have to be paid and the circumstances have to be extraordinary. (On that note congratulations to NM Taxation & Revenue for auditing actors and loan-out companies to ensure they have paid their entire NM tax liabilities. It’s important that those of us who pay NM taxes know that everyone is being treated equally.)

*Fire is burning into areas with less vegetation on Sandia Pueblo, east of the Rio Grande. Corrales, BIA, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and State Forestry Responding. Helicopter 341, 1 Blackhawk, 1 Seat (812), 1 Air Attack.

5 p.m. Corrales, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Sandoval County, and Albuquerque response teams are on the ground. Livestock is being evacuated, incoming trailers appear to be having trouble entering the area.

UPDATE 6/20/12: Robert Baxter is CASTING 18 – 20 YEAR OLDS TO BE IN A SCHOOL SCENE FRIDAY JUNE 22ND IF INTERESTED AND YOU FIT THE DESCRIPTION PLEASE SEND A PICTURE AND PHONE NUMBER TO robertbaxtercasting@gmail.com

The hottest NM topic around the globe is the new hit series, soon to be phenomenon, that is the New Mexico production of A&E’s Longmire!

Here, local Ryan Begay (far right) is on set with series stars Lou Diamond Phillips and “Walt Longmire” himself! The show is just days away from calling Season one, a great-big successful WRAP!

As web searches abound regarding the series, here’s a local bit of trivia for the masses from NM Film pro Stuart Goswick:

The Longmire pilot filmed in part at the Madrid Mineshaft Tavern and Santa Fe Studio sets were built based on the local hot spot and inspired destination “watering hole”.

Once the season wraps and we all go into Longmire withdrawal, come on down to New Mexico to contempo-cowboy up just like Walt & co.!

Battleship director Peter Berg appears to be headed New Mexico way for Universal Pictures, Lone Survivor.

The film, adapted from Marcus Luttrell’s best selling book, is based on the failed June 28, 2005 mission “Operation Red Wing”, in which four members of SEAL Team 10, were tasked with the mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader, Admad Shad.

Reportedly saddled-up for a lead in this wartime drama, helmed by Berg is the star of the upcoming NM Production, 2 Guns, Mark Wahlberg, set to play Marcus Luttrell, the only member of his team to survive.

Taylor Kitsch of Friday Night Lights fame is slated to play Mike Murphy in the film.

New Mexico Film isn’t in just one territory or confined to one metropolis. From Cuba to Silver City and everywhere in between, New Mexico film workers reside.

Neighboring states are clamoring to keep-up and nationwide industry reports name NM time and time again as the state to beat.

The Hollywood Reporter notes, “third only to California and New York in the number of skilled crewmembers locally available…”, New Mexico is handily holding its own with resources at the ready for YOUR NM FILM.

Coming soon from Western New Mexico University’s school of Applied Technology, Central New Mexico Community College, IATSE Local 480 and the Silver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce, is a promotional video collaborative showcasing the state’s southwest region film resources, locations and film related education programs, as detailed here in the Las Cruces Sun News.

For your convenience in reference here are the latest links to NM City and County Film Commissions, Competitive State Film Incentive and New Mexico State film based education programs (TBA).

Soon after this talent landed in the Land of Enchantment, he hit our radar and he’s been blipping everywhere we turn ever since.

Our friend, actor Jackamoe Buzzell really works it – every room he’s in, every charitable cause he can affect and the crowed at his regular gig as the tough guy who makes a veritable dinner theater out of the speak easy he presides over.

Catch Jackamoe almost nightly at Vernon’s, where starting Friday you can “forrgettaboutit” all, over the joint’s latest exclusive menu item, brought to here by Jackamoe & co., now taking his talents to audiowaves near you.

Not since Breaking Bad MADNESS first broke wide open, has our traffic meter hit the kind of highs it’s hitting with the quick success of the A&E series Longmire.

Since its “distinctive premiere”, the quickly green-lit, highly anticipated, contemporary western drama set in WYO is exploding in our search terms, “where is Longmire filmed?”, “Stars of Longmire”, and “Longmire Television Series”.

Goooooooooooooal New Mexico! After the sad goodbye to In Plain Sight earlier this year and the absolutely heart wrenching, impending farewell to our beloved Breaking Bad, Longmire is a bright light in #NMFilm futures sights!

To feed you more awesome, upon awesome in touting New Mexico Film, all reports coming in here say that the CBS series pick-up of the Dennis Quaid 60s era drama will return to New Mexico to shoot! Here’s hoping those (multiple) rumors are TRUE!

In any case we can confirm, proof positive that once again…the WORLD is watching New Mexico Film!

“Dear friends and fans I’m proud to bring the 1st brew and view coffee shop in Albuquerque! Featuring Marley coffee, film, art, music, poetry, all around good vibe and super WiFi for viewing all the things you love on the internet…

This is part of a grass roots movement to further support the arts and provide a new venue of opportunity and service for the community.

Come and help us become a great place and learn more about the future of Fans Of Film and how we’re supporting filmmakers worldwide!”
-Michael Palombo, Founder